Sheet-controlling means.



No. 793,115. l PATENTED JUNE 27, 1905. A. W. WESEMAN.

SHEBTGONTROLLING MEANS.

APPLICATION IILBD JULY 51 1902.

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A. W. WESEMAN.

SHEET CONTROLLING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented June 27, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO lV. VESEMAN, OF PLAINEIELD, NEV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO VALTER. SCOTT, Oli` PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

SHEET-CONTROLLING MEANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 793,115, dated. June 27, 1905.

Application filed July 5, 1902. Serial No. 114,460.

Be it knownthat I, ALONZO lV. lVusnuAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Plainleld, in the county of Union and Sta'te of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Controlling Means, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention relates generally to means for controlling' sheets or a web of thin flexible material while moving', and has more particularly reference to means 'for controlling the sheets passing' through a printing-machine.

I shall describe a machine embodying' my invention and afterward point out the novel features in the claims.

Then it is desired to do a fine quality of work in machines which print both sides of the sheets, it is necessary to use some means, as a roll-tympan,` to prevent the offseif e., blurring' of that side of the sheet which is first printed when the second side is printed. lVhen the roll-tympan is used, it is not possible to employ the ordinary grippers to hold the sheet on the cylinder or other conveying' means in connection with which the said tympan is utilized.

Heretofore tapes or other means, as an air suction, acting' through perforations in the tympan have been employed to keep the sheet in close contact with the conveying' means and to transfer the sheet from one conveying' means to another. The air suction, however, requires a very powerful suction device and is on that account very expensive and inconvenient. To produce a means which will do this worl economically and well is the object of my invention.

Other objects will appear as the specific'L tion proceeds.

To this end I construct my machine with means for exerting' an air-pressure upon the sheet, so as to hold it ag'ainst the conveying' means, the said air-pressure being' preferably exerted in the direction of the motion of the conveying' means. Likewise in transferring' the sheet from one conveying' means to another I use an air-pressure which acts as a throw-eti'. In this and other features of construction, more particularly hereinafter de scribed, my invention consists.

,I n the drawings l have embodied my invention in a rotary printing-press; but it may of course be used in connection with presses and machines of a different construction, and the embodiment of the invention may of course be varied within the scope of the claims.

In the said drawings, Figure l is a side view in section of a rotary press embodying my invention. Fig'. 2 isa plan view of a part of the second impression-cylinder, showing the means for exerting the air-pressure and auxiliaries thereto. Fig'. 3 is an enlarged view of one of the guides through which the air-pressure is exerted on the sheets. Fig'. 4 is a detailed view of an eccentric bearing' for the shaft which carries the gripper-snpports. Fig. 5 shows a device whereby the sheets are transferred b v air-pressure.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding' parts in the different views.

A and B indicate the lirst cylinders to which the sheets are `fed by hand or by any other suitable means. lf a web is used, they may be constructed as cutting-cylinders.

C and E indicate, respectively, the lirst and second impression-cylinders, having' the usual plate-cylinders l) and F adjacent thereto.

(l is a transfer-cylinder, by means of which the sheets are conveyed to the collecting-cylinder H.

The transfer-cylinder B, the first and sec,- ond impression-cylinders O and E, the transfer-cylinder (i, and collecting-cylinder H are each provided with g'rippers, respectively, c, i, y, and /i, which are operated by camsin the usual manner, so as to seize and release the sheets at the proper places where the transfer from one cylinder to another takes place. The impression-cylinder O and the plate-cylinder F are each provided with tln'owoff lingers c andf'.

The sheet is transferred from the cylinder A. to the cylinder O and held there by means of the grippers c. When .tliegrippers c reach the axial line between the cylinders O and E, they release the sheet, so as to allow it to be seized by the grippers e on the cylinder E.

Itis then carried around and transferred in the same manner to the grippers g on the cylinder G and thence to the grippers /t on the cylinder H.

I is a roll-tympan fed from a roll 7l, over the idler t, around the second impression-cylinder E, partly against the transfer-cylinder G, around theidlers and 3, and wound up on the roll I. The roll I is driven by two smaller rollers Z4 and f/', which are geared to the main shaft J. One of these rollers i" also transfers the motion of the main shaft through gears j' and j to the cylinders enumerated above, which are all geared together in the usual way. The elements are of course also mounted in a suitable framework, as K, in a well-known manner. Vhen this roll-tympan, which may be of paper or other suitable material, is used, it is evident that the grippers e on the second impression-cylinder cannot be operated to seize the sheet from the cylinder C and to deliver it to the cylinder G. In this case, therefore, thel cam which operates the grippers in a well-known manner is removed, and the grippers are allowed to remain at rest. It is likewise preferable that the supports e on the cylinder on which the grippers e rest when holding the sheets should be moved a distance inside the cylinder, so as to prevent the grippers e from protruding outside the circumference of the said ycylin-v der. This is accomplished by mounting the transverse shaft e2, which carries the supports e, in a manner well known in an eccentric bearing c3 at each end. By turning the handles eL on the bearings e3 it will be seen that the shaft e2 is moved a distance back, so that the supports e are moved a distance inside of the circumference of the cylinder sufficient to prevent the grippers e from protruding outside the circumference.

In order to control the sheet without the grippers as it passes around the cylinder E, I employ a series of guides or ducts L adjacent to the said cylinderE and between the cylinders E and F and another series of similar guides or ducts L between the cylinders F and G. Each guideLis made in the form of an arc of a circle corresponding to the cylinder E and is rather narrow, as shown in the drawings. Inside it is hollow and is provided with a plurality of perforations or openings Z on its lower side bored on a slant or obliquely, as shown. A current of air is conducted from the blower M through a suitable means of communication, as the pipes N and rubber tube i N, to the transverse pipe i 2, which forms a common air-duct for all the guides,and through a plurality of rubber tubes N3, which connect with a short rigid pipe Zz on each of the guides L, opening into the latter. These guides L, as well as the pipe N2, are mounted on the transverse rods n and 12, the said guides being' to that end provided with the bushings Z3 and set-screws Z4, so that they may be shifted laterally and transversely, such individual adjustment being permitted by the fiexible tubes N3. Other means for adjusting these guides might of course be used. The ends of the rods n and n are supported on the framework in open brackets n2 and the whole device attached to a rope or chain Z5, suspended from a pulley Z, or other means, so that the whole series of guides L and the transverse pipe N2 can be lifted up bodily, whereby access can be had to the impression-cylinder in order to make ready the'form by the necessary overlays for printing. This removable adjustment is of course also made possible by the flexible connection N.

O represents pressure-rollers of any suitable construction which are made separately removable.

The guides L arel similarly mounted and receive acurrent of air from one of the pipes N, as shown.` It is not necessary, however, that these guides should be removable away from the cylinder E; but they have a lateral and transverse adjustment individually similar to the guides L. The openings Z are made in an oblique direction, so that the air passing through the same will be guided round the cylinder in the direction of the travel of the surface of the cylinder. A stopcock or valve could be used on each guide L to cut offair when narrower sheets are being used.

The operation is as follows: The sheets are fed to the grippers Z on the cylinder B in the usual manner and transferred to the grippers c on the cylinder C. When the grippers c on the cylinder C reach the axial line between the cylinders C and E or a slight distance above the axial line, the grippers c will open in the usual way to release the sheet, and the throw-off lingers 0 (which are underneath the sheet) will push the sheet against the cylinder E and underneath the edge of the guides L. Then the sheet is thus transferred to the cylinder' E, the air-pressure from the holese will press the sheet against the cylinder E with sufficient force to cause it to adhere thereto and pass around underneath the guides L and between the cylinders E and F. When the edge of the sheet has reached the axial line between the cylinders E and F or slightly farther, the throw-off fingers f press the sheet against the cylinder E and underneath the guides L, so as to insure the sheet leaving the plate-cylinder F. The sheet is then held by the air-pressure against the cylinder E until it reaches the cylinder G and is transferred against that cylinder by the roll-tympan as it passes a short distance around that cylinder, the roll-tympan leaving the cylinder G abruptly around the roller Z2, the sheet passing straight forward around the cylinder G. The grippers g on the cylinder G in this case will only require to seize the sheet after the roll-tympan has left the surface of the IOO ISO

cylinder (i and convey the sheet around to the collecting-cylinder. In some eases these g'rippers -r/ will not be necessary, as tapes or guides can be made to transfer the sheet-s to the collecting-cylinder. The cylinder (i could be used as a collecting-cylinder.

In Fig. 5 is shown the means for employing' air-pressure to push or transfer the sheets vfrom one cylinder to another. ln this case the cylinder U, in addition to the guides L or without the guides L, is constructed with a plurality of ducts, as if. connected with the cylinder-shaft e, made hollow for this purpose, which shaft communicates with one of the pipes N leading' from the blower. The air can be tm'ned off and on at the proper moment by means of the valve r/w, operated by the cam f/l. The plate-cylinder F could of course also be supplied with the same means for blowing' off the sheets. In like manner a suction could be used on the cylinder G to seize the sheet as it is received from the cylinder E to transfer it to the cylinder H, the hollow shaft y" of the cylinder G communicating' with the suction end of the blower M by means of the pipe y". Of course fluid other than air could be used with the same effect.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. In a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, means of' communication leading' therefrom, a series of g'uides having' opening's for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheets, and a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication.

2. ln a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, means of communication leading' therefrom, a series of guides adjacent to the conveying means having opening's for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheets,a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication, and means for moving' the said g'uides bodily away from the conveying' means.

3. In a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means -for exerting' an air-pressure, means of communication leading' therefrom, a series of guides having' oblique openings for the discharge of air Linder pressure upon the sheets, and a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication.

-le In a printing-press` the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressm'e, means of communication leading therefrom, a series of guides adjacent to the conveying means having' oblique openings for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheets, a plurality of flexible connections between the g'uides and the means 1 of communication, and means for moving the said guides bodily away from the conveying' means.

[n a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, means of communication leading' therefrom, a series of individually-adjustable guides having' openings for the discharg'e of air under pressure upon the sheets, and a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication.

G. In a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, means of communication leading' therefrom, a series of individually-adjustable guides adjacent to the conveying means, having openings for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheets, a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication, and means for moving the said guides bodily away from the said conveying' means.

T. In a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting an air-pressure, means of communication leading' therefrom, a series of individually-adjustable g'uides having' oblique openings for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheet, and a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication.

8. In a printing-press, the combination with means for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting an air-pressure, means of communicafion leading' therefrom, a series of individually-adjustable guides adjacent to the conveying' means having' oblique openings for the discharge of air under pressure upon the sheets, a plurality of flexible connections between the guides and the means of communication, and means Afor moving' the said guides bodily away from the conveying means.

9. ln aprinting'-press, the combination with a conveying' means, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, a means of communication leading' therefrom, a lateral air-duct located adjacent to the conveying' means, a plurality of discharge-ducts, flexible connections between the discharge-ducts and the lateral air-duct, and means for moving the lateral air-duct and the discharge-ducts bodily to and from the conveying' means.

l0. [n a machine of the characterdescribed, the combination of means for exerting an airpressure, a means of communication leading' therefrom, an air-duct, a flexible connection between the means of communication and the air-duct, a plurality of discharge-ducts, and flexible connections between the dischargeducts and the air-duct.

l1. 1n a printing-press, the combination with a cylinder for conveying' sheets, of means for exerting' an air-pressure, a means of communication leading therefrom, a lateral air- IOO ISO

duct located transversely over the cylinder, a flexible connection between the means of communication and the air-duct, a plurality of discharge-ducts, flexible connections between the discharge-ducts and the air-duct, and means for moving the air and discharge ducts bodily toand from the cylinder.

12. In a printing-press, the combination with a conveying' means, of means, as grippers, for holding the sheets, means for rendering said holding means inactive, and means for holding the sheets on the conveying means by air-pressure.

13. In a printing-press, a plurality of individually and transversely adjustable ducts for vthe discharge of air, and means for moving said ducts in unison.

14. In a printing-press, the combination with a cylinder having grippers, of an adjusting means for said grippers, a shaft carrying said adjusting means eccentrically disposed, and means for turning said shaft to adjust the adjusting means. j

15. In a printing-press, the combination with two impression-cylinders located adjacent to each other and a plate-cylinder for each impression-cylinder located a distance away from the other impression-cylinder, of an air-pressure means for transferring the sheets from the first to the second impressioncylinder and for conveying them around the second impression-cylinder a distance between the iirst impression-cylinder and the second plate-cylinder.

16. In a printing-press having two formcylinders and two impression cylinders, a tympan-web passing partly around the second impression-cylinder, and air-pressure means for holding the sheet against the tympan-web while passing around between the first impression-cylinder and the second form-cylinder. u

17. In a printing-press, the combination of two impression-cylinders adapted to carry sheets, two form cylinders, a tympanweb passing partly around the second impressioncylinder, air-pressure means for transferring the sheets from the lirst to the second impression-cylinder and for carrying them around with the second impression-cylinder until they reach the second form-cylinder.

18. In a printing-press having two formcylinders two impression-cylinders and a receiving means, a tympan-web passing partly around the second impression-cylinder and air-pressure means for holding the sheets against the tympan-web while passing around between the first impression-cylinder and the second form-cylinder and between the second form-cylinder and the receiving means.

19. In a printing-press, the combination of two impression-cylinders having means thereon adapted to carry sheets, and a web-tympan passing around the second impression-cylinder, means for rendering said sheet-carrying means on the second impression-cylinder inoperative, and an air-pressure means for controlling the sheets as they pass around the second impression-cylinder on the web-tympan.

20. In a printing-press having two impression-cylinders located adjacent to each other, a plate-cylinder for each impression-cylinder located a distance away from the other impression-cylinder, and a sheet-receiving device, means for transferring the sheets from the first to the second impression-cylinder, air-pressure means for holding and controlling the sheet around the second impression-cylinder and the second plate-cylinder, meansl to prevent the sheet from following or adhering to the second plate-cylinder, and air-pressure means for controlling the sheet while passing around the second impression-cylinder between the second plate-cylinder and the sheet-receiving device.

Signed at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey', this 30th day of June, A. D. 1902.

ALoNZo w. wEsEMAN.

Titnessesz J. B. CowARD, IVALTER SCOTT. 

